What’s Next for Clippers After Brutal Punishment From NBA

For the past year, the Los Angeles Clippers have been under investigation by the NBA for salary cap circumvention. The Clippers were accused of using endorsement deals to pay star player Kawhi Leonard and of finding a loophole in the salary cap.  

Los Angeles was eventually punished, and multiple fines and suspensions were handed out to team executives, including owner Steve Ballmer, who was suspended from all team activities for one year. 

Another crucial part of the punishments handed out was that the Clippers would not have their own first-round pick in the NBA Draft from 2029 to 2033, a stretch that lasts five seasons. 

With a punishment like this, it could make the Clippers rethink their plans for years to come as they look to eventually win a championship. In 2021, Los Angeles made the Western Conference Finals with Kawhi Leonard, the closest they came to an NBA Finals appearance. 

After multiple first-round exits and a missed playoff appearance in 2026, the franchise felt that it was time to move on from Leonard. The Clippers selected guard Keaton Wagler with the fifth overall pick in the draft this year, and they added multiple players who can help them reach the postseason. 

Still, just because this initial investigation regarding Kawhi Leonard and his contract with the Clippers is over, there is a chance there's more to uncover. Investigative reporter Pablo Torre recently spoke to Rich Eisen, and he believes this story with the Clippers is not over. 

Torre believes there is more to be uncovered because of the extension Leonard signed with the team in 2024. When looking back at the contract signed then, it was less than the max contract, and that could mean the franchise found another loophole in the salary cap to pay Kawhi under the table. 

Another part of the story that could be uncovered more is the scoreboard company Daktronics and its involvement in the scandal. Daktronics is a scoreboard manufacturing company, and they were involved in giving Kawhi endorsement deals. 

Now, the Security Exchange Commission is looking to find more information from the company, and this could lead to the company's full involvement being revealed. 

In short, more punishments could be handed out to the Clippers organization, and it may affect their roster again. With the loss of five first-round picks, Los Angeles is already at a disadvantage in terms of long-term plans. It will be interesting to see what happens to the Clippers as more information comes out.